Police officers stationed at a key weighbridge on the Mombasa highway have challenged a directive by the Inspector-General of Police to transfer them.

The 29 officers at Mariakani weighbridge on Monday told a court that Mr David Kimaiyo and his deputy were usurping the powers of the National Police Service Commission which deals with the employment, promotion and transfer of officers.

Mariakani weighbridge handles cargo between the port of Mombasa and the hinterland, including neighbouring states such as Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan.

A large contingent of security personnel, Kenya Revenue Authority and other State officials is based at the weighbridge to handle the heavy traffic.

The officers told Lady Justice Maureen Odero that the decision to transfer them to other stations was irregular.

“The respondents have not sought any explanation nor given a hearing to the applicants and have also acted in bad faith,” said their lawyer, Mr Jared Magolo.

An affidavit by one of the officers, Mr Stephen Roktok, says they have children in school and an abrupt change would affect their performance.

The court allowed the officers to begin proceedings but declined to grant a prayer for a stay of the transfers.